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FORT BENNING, Ga. - Two cadet candidates from different geographical locations are determined to accomplish the same goal, to become commissioned officers in the U.S. Army.
The 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team gave 45 cadets, 34 from U.S. Military Academy and 11 from several colleges' and universities' Reserve Officers' Training Corps, the opportunity to experience leadership in the Army through the Cadet Troop Leadership Training (CTLT) program.
According to the Cadet Command website, CTLT is a program that allows cadets to serve as a platoon leader in charge of a platoon of approximately 35 active duty Soldiers over three to four week duration. Cadets are assigned a unit mentor, provided on-post lodging and meals. All CTLT positions are linked to a specific regiment of Leaders Development Assessment Course.
First, a high school student, who was looking forward to an acting and singing career after graduation, had no idea she would be attending West Point to become a commissioned officer in the Army.
“My uncle, who graduated from West Point in 1993, influenced me to attend West Point. But it wasn’t until my senior year in high school that I began to focus on attending West Point,” said Laivan Greene, a cadet attending West Point.
“The process to attend West Point was not easy. I had to get recommendations from my congresswoman, Loretta Sanchez, and my high school counselors. Then, after taking the American College Testing and Scholastic Assessment Test, I had to pass a medical exam and fitness assessment,” said Greene. “Thankfully, I got accepted, because West Point was the only school I applied to.”
Greene attended prep school before going to West Point.
Prep school is for cadets who want to work on their athletics, improve ACT/SAT scores, math and English, she said.
“West Point is a little rough. They expect a lot of you. It was rough for me in the beginning trying to keep up with the males, but I got the hang of it,” said Greene.
“I think I have done well so far,” she added.
“The average days at West Point are: Wake up, get dressed, go to formation, eat breakfast and attend classes,” Greene said. “If we’re lucky, we might get a break between classes to take a nap. At the end of the day, we play sports,” she added.
One year left before graduation, the CTLT gave the cadets a chance to explore Kelley Hill, Fort Benning.
“The first day I arrived at Fort Benning, I was nervous. I looked out the bus window and saw my sponsor, 1st Lt. Roy Erickson, assigned to Company E, 2nd Battalion 69th Armor Regiment, 3rd ABCT, 3rd ID. I was so nervous. He looked really high-speed and like he was really into his job,” Greene said. “The first thought in my head was this is going to be interesting.”
That all changed once she got to know him along with everybody else.
She doesn’t take this opportunity for granted. There’s a lot that goes into being a good leader. The experience at Fort Benning has opened her eyes to the “Big Army” that the West Point cadets talk about so often, but never get to see, added Greene.
“I’m kind of sad that I am leaving, I wish I could stay longer, to see and learn more,” she said. “Speed and Power!”
She admits West Point had prepared her a little for the Fort Benning experience. She’s met a lot of great people, and if she had the opportunity to come back to Fort Benning she would.
Second, a student attending Florida International University, in Miami, is currently in Reserve Officers' Training Corps.
“I was speaking with the Coast Guard and Navy, but I wanted to finish college first. The Army was the best choice by far, and I have been happy ever since,” said Leonel Pena, a cadet and National Guardsman from Florida. “ROTC was the only way I could give back to my country.”
At first, he wanted to be active-duty because it’s a guaranteed profession, but now, since he has experienced what it’s like waking up for a 5-mile run, engaging with the Soldiers and seeing how leadership interacts with the Soldiers, he knows this is exactly where he wants to be.
“I know I can help and share experience with others that can do the same,” Pena added. “My platoon leader, 1st Lt. Nathan Gelinas has been nice enough to let me work with other leaders, expanding and learning as much as I can.”
“Having a sponsor and leader close to my age helps a lot. We had similar experiences growing up. I knew right away we would be able to learn from each other,” added Pena.
“I’m going to be sad when I leave, but I will keep in touch,” Pena said. “I have come across some great leaders and it was a great experience. I hope future cadets learn from them the way I have. “Can Do!”
After Greene and Pena graduate and commission, they will find out their branch assignment as well as their duty station. This was CTLT’s last cycle for the year. Both cadets look forward to sharing their Kelley Hill experience with future cadets.
| Date Taken: | 08.06.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 08.06.2014 13:24 |
| Story ID: | 138465 |
| Location: | FORT BENNING, GEORGIA, US |
| Web Views: | 521 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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